Eddie Murphy’s First On-Stage Joke In Years Ripped Bill Cosby

When he was first presented the opportunity during SNL 40, Eddie Murphy opted not to joke on disgraced comedian Bill Cosby saying, “there’s nothing funny about it. If you get up there and you crack jokes about him, you’re just hurting people. You’re hurting him. You’re hurting his accusers.” He added, “I was like, ‘Hey, I’m coming back to SNL for the anniversary, I’m not turning my moment on the show into this other thing.’”

No such reservations were had over the weekend as Murphy launched into his classic Cosby impersonation while receving the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. With on-lookers such as Chris Rock, Arsenio Hall, George Lopez, Eddie Griffin, Trevor Noah, Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan, JB Smoove & others on hand, Murphy did what previous Twain receipiant Tina Fey did at the Golden Globes — rip into Cosby.

Bill has one of these. Did y’all make Bill give his back? No, because I know there was a big outcry from people. They was trying to get Bill to give his trophies back. You know you f*cked up when they want you to give your trophies back.”

“He should do one show where he just comes out and he just talks crazy now,” Murphy continued. He then slipped into a scorching Cosby impression that’ll be familiar to anyone who’s seen his 1987 standup film, Eddie Murphy Raw: “I would like to talk to some of the people who feel like I should give back my motherf*ckin’ trophies!”

It was Murphy’s first time telling jokes on stage since 1987. Hopefully it won’t be the last. The entire special will air November 23rd on PBS.

About The Author

Brandon Caldwell is the founder & editor-in-chief of Day & A Dream. His work has appeared in VIBE, UPROXX, Complex, EBONY, the Village Voice, the Houston Press, Houston Style Magazine, DJBooth, The Sports Fans Journal, and more. Follow him on Twitter: @_brandoc